Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-09-03
MARY JAMES TRAVELS.
SHE WRITES FROM CHARMING PAL
LAMA, ITALY.
Trouble At Milan in Finding . Famous
Notwithstanding About Americans
VIII" Are Travelling Abroad-Ihe Lake.
Of ltaly-How Como Was Named.

Special Correspondence
PALLANzA, Italy, Aug l2.-l don't know
exactly the size Of the ignorance l ordinarily
wear, but l am free to confess that until
bought my ticket to this place never heard
Of it. 1t is a charming place, too surrounded
g. history and beautiful scenery and summer
rssor:ess, and sits SO close to Lake Maggiore
chat the foot Of the street We live on hangs
ever into the water We came here TO take
. little breathing spell before getting into or
onto that diligence To ride siyty five miles
over the Alps, because beyond the Alps lies
Switzerland.
To r~cur to the subject Of ignorance. we
had manifestation of it in Milan which
gives ME the courage to ackno wleige that
never heard Of PalIanza till row At our
hotel in Milan, which was in sight of the
cathedral, found it necessary to ask one of
the English speaking men in tie office the d.
rection to the other great attraction OF the
city, to wit: The Last Supper" picture
familiar by copies to every Sunday school
scholar in America. 81 in an of hand, mat
ter Of course way | said 10 him:
.Where is Leonardo da VInci's picture of
The Last Supperf"
"Memf' said he, with q twenty cent ne in
serest.
w here's Da Vinci's Last Supperf" think
ing he hadn't understood me-
"Da Ninci-Da Eincif' b. repeated ques-
tioningly, as he scratched his head thought
fully.
YES, said l. "Da Vinci's Last Supper a
famous picture; don't YOU know where it isf-
NO mem, l never heard of it Excuse me,
I'll call up the head wafer
Then he called up tb waiter and as that
worthy gave me the PR per direction he stood
BY in very evident sati faction that the hotel
was SO well equipped for the benefit Of its
guests, and with never a sigh for his own cul-
pable ignorance.
BY the way, the English speaking waters,
or waiter. for there is often only one, with
which nearly every continental hotel is pro
vided, are the most valuable men in the ell
tire establishment, and are superior TO any of
their class in America. They know nearly as
much - the prevalent American hotel clerk
thinks he knows, and when have said that.
what more comprehensive compliment can
pay thems From railroad timetable to the
price Of . hairpin they know every foot Of
the way: and they are as conversant with an
one -tongued American on the continent is
under obligations to these walters, and l
gues the waters are not sorry of it Neither
are the hotel proprietors. for the guests pay
the salaries or words to that effect
Ny Last Supper" experience reminds ME
Of . story which l cannot vouch for Us can
my own. A rich American over here from
Chicago seeing the sights met friend in Nj
Ian who had spent the winter in the city.
Very naturally, the friend made inquiries as
% what the visitor had taken in during bis
urban and suburban rambles
"Have you seen Da Vinci's Last Supperr "
be asked early in his catechism.
swell. no." replied the Ch:cagoan. regret
fully, II can't say that have You see. I've
been 20 confounded busy chasing around after
art and that sort Of thing haven't had a
chance at a meal Of victuals except what l
gue e ~ hofei ! presamshs won't give ar
..sr ontu next seasun. win hsT
co1fse. thh Hnd q iRnerspcp 4 excu~-